Tiny Hornet Nests, Big Agricultural Threat

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has eradicated four Yellow-legged Hornet embryo nests in the Savannah area—and they’re asking for your help to stop the spread of this invasive pest.

Commissioner Tyler Harper says, “Every Yellow-legged Hornet embryo nest that we are able to find and destroy this spring represents thousands of hornets that will never come into existence.” These aggressive insects pose a serious threat to pollinators and agriculture, especially as warming weather increases hornet activity.

The removed nests were small—about the size of a ping-pong or tennis ball—and typically found in sheltered spots like building eaves. Destroying them early prevents queens from producing workers and forming larger, harder-to-control colonies later in the season.

If you think you’ve spotted a Yellow-legged Hornet nest, don’t handle it yourself. Contact a licensed pest management professional or reach out to the Georgia Department of Agriculture at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.

You can also learn more about the hornet and how to report sightings at agr.georgia.gov/yellow-legged-hornet.